Logan boosts Chichester’s survival hopes

A devastating spell of bowling from Richard Logan ensured Chichester won their vital Sussex Premier League

encounter at Three Bridges – despite England spinner monty Panesar making a surprise appearance for the hosts.

The win is a big lift to Chichester’s chances of avoiding the drop – although they face another must-win clash this weekend at home to bottom side Pulborough.

Mark Bamford lost the toss and found his side in the field and the sheer pace of James Stedman provided two early wickets for the visiting side.

However, Panesar (66) was in fine form as he forged a partnership with Hisam-Ul-Haq (33) that had the potential to take the game away from Chichester.

The partnership was broken when Bamford turned to the fast medium bowling of Richard Browning and he clean bowled Ul-Haq and had Panesar caught down the leg side.

At 115 for four Chichester felt they were back in the game and when batters came to the crease who the skipper recalled normally batting lower in the order, Bamford had no hesitation in asking Logan to bowl once more.

If the truth be told, Logan was expensive in his first spell, but this was more to fortuitous batting from the batters as they threw the bat at his quick bowling.

Logan removed captain Mark Church first ball and that started a collapse for the home side as they plunged to 138 all out, with Logan finishing with four for 50.

Justin Scott weighed in with two wickets to help finish the job and in doing so made the claim that he was the best left-arm spinner participating in the game!

Despite such a ludicrous claim, his assertion might have actually been true as Panesar did not bowl in the Chichester innings.

Chichester were obviously delighted at this, but were treated to trial by short, fast bowling in Chad Barrett and Abidine Sakande’s opening spells. Sakande had some success (3-40) but Barrett remained wicketless.

At 51 for three, Chichester appeared to be struggling but Bamford hit a number of fours in a partnership with Logan that pushed the score to 90. Logan (30) almost completed the job with Browning (20 not out), but when he departed Chichester needed just nine and Dave Leaver duly obliged with a quick nine not out.